Kokuseki-ji, Buddhist temple in Ōshū, Japan.
Kokuseki-ji is a Buddhist temple in Oshu with a main hall, priest quarters, and gardens organized around a central courtyard that faces the mountains of northern Japan. The structures showcase different architectural styles from various periods of reconstruction.
The temple was founded in 729 by Buddhist priest Gyoki and stands as one of the oldest institutions in the region. It has been rebuilt multiple times after fires, each time returning to its role as a spiritual center.
The temple serves as a center for Buddhist worship and spiritual practice in the local community. The wooden statues and religious objects inside reflect centuries of artistic tradition that residents continue to maintain.
The temple grounds are accessible year-round, with visitors able to make optional donations to enter the interior spaces housing the statues and religious objects. It is helpful to wear comfortable shoes, as the site includes pathways connecting the various buildings.
The Somin-sai Festival takes place during lunar New Year, when participants in traditional attire climb bonfires and perform winter purification rituals. This intense ceremony shows how active the spiritual practices at this location remain today.
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